Page 53 of Nick
Una didn’t reply to her question.
“Is Sarah not home?”she asked, feigning casual interest.
“Sarah’s…out,” Una answered.
Karla dropped to one knee, eyes softening as she addressed Javier.“Hey there, champ.”Her voice dripped with saccharine sweetness, every syllable a calculated step toward disarming the boy.She flashed a smile that never quite reached her eyes.
“Hi,” Javier replied cautiously, his brow furrowed in a mirror of adult skepticism.His gaze flickered between Karla and Una.
“Your mom has been helping us with some important pack business,” Karla continued.“I came to see if you wanted to come and play while she’s busy.”
Javier shuffled closer to Una, his small hand gripping the hem of her shirt—a lifeline to the familiar.“I should wait for Mama.”
“Oh, but she might be a while,” Karla cooed, trying to weave enchantment into her words.“We could have so much fun.”
Una’s body angled to shield the child.“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
But Karla was done playing nice.With a swift motion, she reached past Una, her fingers closing around Javier’s sturdy little arm with an iron grip.“Come now, Javier.Let’s not keep your mother waiting any longer.”
Javier’s eyes widened in sudden fear.He looked up at Una, who lunged forward, her fingers clawing at Karla’s hand in an attempt to pry it open.
“Let him go!”
Javier’s small body squirmed against Karla’s grasp, his tiny fist beating a frantic rhythm on her arm.
“Enough,” Karla snapped.With a forceful yank, she freed herself from Una’s hold and hoisted Javier up, his legs kicking futilely.
“Stop it, Javi,” Karla growled low, a warning laced with menace.She tightened her grip on the struggling child, feeling the tremble of his muscles under her fingers as she turned and strode back toward her car.
Una’s voice, thick with desperation, called out once more, “Karla, please!”
But Karla’s ears were deaf to Una’s pleas.She reached the vehicle and wrenched the passenger door open, then deposited Javier onto the seat.
“Stay,” she ordered as she fastened the seatbelt over him, securing him in place.
His breath came in ragged sobs.
“Quiet now,” she said, sliding into the driver’s seat.She slammed her door shut.“Vincent needs us,” she murmured, more to herself than to him, as she pulled away from the trailer house.
“My daddy will come get me,” he said fiercely.“He’s a hero.You’ll see.”
The car ate up the miles, while inside, Karla’s words sliced through the tense silence.“Listen to me, Javier.Your daddy might’ve been a hero once, but that’s all done with now.”She watched as the boy’s features tighten.
“Mama says—” he began, but Karla cut him off with a harsh laugh.
“Your mother doesn’t understand how the world works.”Her grip on the steering wheel tightened.“But you… You’re the key.”
Javier furrowed his brows, his small hands clutching at the seatbelt that held him captive.“Key for what?”
Karla’s lips twisted into a cruel smile.“To controlling the pack rebels.”
She could see his confusion, but she didn’t care.She didn’t need understanding from him, but compliance.
“The rebels are bad?”His voice was barely audible over the engine.
“Very bad,” she said.“They threaten our pack, our way of life.And Vincent—our alpha—will stop them, with your help.”
For the remainder of the drive, Karla ignored the boy’s sniffles and questions.
